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United States Patent |
5,231,740
|
Mohebkhosravi
|
August 3, 1993
|
Safety clasp for jewelry
Abstract
A safety clasp for jewelry including a receptacle having a cavity and a
pair of opposed shoulders extending into the cavity. A leaf spring, which
is insertable into the receptacle, includes a pair of legs in angular
relation with each other. A first or primary clasp mechanism is provided
to engage the leaf spring with the receptacle wherein a first leg
terminates in a free end which will engage the opposed shoulders. An
additional clasp mechanism is provided in the event of failure or
unfastening of the primary clasp. A pair of inwardly extending recesses
are provided in the first leg, the recesses being spaced from the end to
form a pair of fins in order to engage the opposed shoulders.
Inventors:
|
Mohebkhosravi; Mohammad M. (8337 S. 75th East Ave., Tulsa, OK 74133)
|
Appl. No.:
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912296 |
Filed:
|
July 13, 1992 |
Current U.S. Class: |
24/616; 24/574.1; 24/DIG.52 |
Intern'l Class: |
A44B 011/26 |
Field of Search: |
24/614,615,616,589,583
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
812661 | Feb., 1906 | Luckhaupt | 24/583.
|
833458 | Oct., 1906 | Hausherr | 24/583.
|
889230 | Jun., 1908 | Hoffman | 24/616.
|
1141575 | Jun., 1915 | Naylor.
| |
1238495 | Aug., 1917 | Christ | 24/616.
|
3092885 | Jun., 1963 | Guanche.
| |
3308517 | Mar., 1967 | Geldwerth.
| |
3947932 | Apr., 1976 | Flynn | 24/616.
|
4170809 | Oct., 1979 | Geldwerth.
| |
4426854 | Jan., 1984 | Geldwerth.
| |
4520537 | Jun., 1985 | Valikov.
| |
4527316 | Jul., 1985 | Murphy.
| |
4530221 | Jul., 1985 | Weinberg.
| |
4543692 | Oct., 1985 | Ode.
| |
Foreign Patent Documents |
686243 | Mar., 1965 | IT | 24/616.
|
16537 | Aug., 1908 | GB | 24/616.
|
Primary Examiner: Brittain; James R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Head & Johnson
Claims
I claim:
1. A safety clasp for jewelry which comprises:
an elongated receptacle having a cavity extending from an opening into said
receptacle and a pair of opposed shoulders near said opening;
a leaf spring having a first and second leg, said legs joined at one end
and extending therefrom in angular relation to each other, said leaf
spring receivable in said cavity when said legs are squeezed together;
primary means to engage said leaf spring with said receptacle wherein said
first leg terminates in a free end having a pair of lateral edges which
will engage said opposed shoulders after said leaf spring is inserted in
said cavity; and
secondary means to engage said leaf spring with said receptacle including a
pair of opposed, inwardly recessed slots in said first leg, said opposed
slots juxtaposed between said joined end and said free end and spaced from
said free end to form a pair of transverse fins substantially parallel
with said lateral edges to engage said opposed shoulders.
2. A safety clasp for jewelry as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said fin
will be bent away from said first and second legs.
3. A safety clasp for jewelry as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
receptacle is cylindrical and said cavity extends axially into said
receptacle.
4. A safety clasp for jewelry as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
receptacle is a rectangular prism and said cavity extends into said
receptacle from one of said walls.
5. A safety clasp for jewelry as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
secondary means may engage said leaf spring with said receptacle only when
said primary means is not engaged.
6. A safety clasp for jewelry which comprises:
a receptacle having a cavity and a pair of opposed shoulders extending into
said cavity;
leaf spring means having a first and second leg, said legs joined at one
end and extending therefrom in angular relation to each other, said leaf
spring means insertable into said receptacle when said legs are squeezed
together;
means to engage said leaf spring means with said receptacle, wherein said
first leg terminates in a free end having a pair of lateral edges which
will engage said opposed shoulders after said leaf spring is inserted in
said cavity; and
an additional means to engage said leaf spring means with said receptacle
including a pair of opposed, inwardly extending recesses in said first
leg, said recesses juxtaposed between said joined end and said free end
and spaced from said free end to form a pair of transverse fins
substantially parallel with said lateral edges to engage said opposed
shoulders.
7. A safety clasp for jewelry as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said
fins will be bent away from said legs.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a safety clasp for jewelry chains or the
like. In particular, the present invention relates to a safety clasp for
jewelry chains or the like wherein an additional, safety mechanism will
prevent the clasp from becoming unfastened in the event that the primary
mechanism fails or is unfastened.
2. Prior Art
Safety clasps for jewelry chains are well known and come in a few standard
varieties. Typically, a male or tongue portion is received within a barrel
or female portion. The tongue portion has a leaf spring providing a force
to separate a pair of legs. The barrel portion will have a cavity and a
shoulder or shoulders near the opening of the cavity.
In order to fasten the clasp, the tongue portion of the clasp will be
inserted in the barrel while the legs are compressed or squeezed together.
When the tongue portion is inserted fully, a free end of the leg will move
past the shoulders. When the legs are released the leg of the tongue will
be forced against the interior of the barrel and will not be able to be
withdrawn past the shoulders until the legs or leafs are pressed together
again and withdrawn. Various prior patents disclose variations on these
typical jewelry clasps.
Valikov (U.S. Pat. No. 4,520,537) discloses a jewelry clasp which includes
a keeper or barrel for receiving a folded spring tongue. The tongue has a
pair of ledges or recesses to catch on the barrel when inserted therein.
Ode (U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,692) discloses a two-part clasp body and engaging
member. The engaging member is a leaf spring which has a transverse slot
across the leaf spring.
Guanche (U.S. Pat. No. 3,092,885) discloses a safety clasp comprising a
catch plate, a latch to be engaged and disengaged from the catch plate.
The tongue has a pair of recesses to catch on the barrel.
Geldwerth (U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,517) discloses a keeper with a top recess
for receiving a catch which has an actuating pin.
Geldwerth (U.S. Pat. No. 4,I70,809) discloses a jewelry clasp comprising a
barrel and a spring clip with an upstanding top protrusion. The spring
clip is inserted into the barrel and is engaged by the clip's protrusion.
Geldwerth (U.S. Pat. No. 4,426,854) discloses an example of a cylindrical
jewelry clasp. A barrel with a retainer clip and a recess receives a male
member having a spring clip with an upper protrusion and a side pin. An
external secondary or supplemental clasp is provided as a safety
mechanism. While the external secondary clasps are functional, they
require significant additional manipulation as well as additional gold and
manufacturing time.
It has been found that the primary clasp may become disengaged for a number
of reasons. The clasp may become stuck on clothing so that the legs are
accidentally compressed and the tongue is withdrawn. Additionally, the
tongue may not have been fully inserted initially so that the primary
safety clasp mechanism is not engaged.
Although the idea of an additional or secondary clasp mechanism has been
employed, there has been no suggestion of an additional secondary safety
clasp mechanism which is a part of the primary tongue or leaf spring and
will act in the event of failure or unfastening of the primary safety
clasp.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a clasp for a jewelry
chain or the like having a leaf spring insertable into a barrel and which
includes a primary clasp mechanism along with a secondary clasp mechanism,
both of which are formed from the leaf spring itself.
It is a further object and purpose of the present invention to provide a
clasp for a jewelry chain or the like wherein the secondary clasp
mechanism will only be activated in the event of failure or unfastening of
the primary clasp mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A safety clasp for jewelry of the present invention includes a tongue or
male member which is insertable within a barrel or receptacle. The
receptacle is substantially open at one end and has an open interior so as
to form a cavity. Extending from the receptacle at the open end is a pair
of opposed shoulders.
The tongue includes a leaf spring having a first leg and a second leg
connected together at one end so that the legs are in angular relation
with each other. The end of the legs is insertable into the cavity. If the
legs are squeezed or compressed together, a resilient, spring force urges
the legs to their original position.
The first leg terminates in a free end. The free end includes a pair of
lateral edges near or at the free end of the first leg. When the end of
the legs is inserted into the cavity, the first leg and second leg will be
held by the user and compressed or squeezed together. Once the tongue has
been fully inserted into the cavity, the lateral edges of the free end
will be inserted past the opposed shoulders so that they are within the
receptacle.
Thereafter, the legs of the tongue will be released. The resilient, spring
action of the tongue will urge the free end away from the second leg and
back toward the original position. The lateral edges will be within the
cavity on the interior side of the opposed shoulders. Accordingly, the
tongue may not be withdrawn from the receptacle until the legs are again
compressed or squeezed together.
An additional or secondary safety mechanism is employed in the present
invention which operates in the case of failure or unfastening of the
primary clasp mechanism. A pair of slots or inwardly extending recesses
are provided on opposed sides of the first leg. The slots are spaced from
the free end a slight distance. The slots in the leg thereby form a pair
of transverse fins.
If for any reason, the lateral edges of the free end become disengaged from
the shoulders of the receptacle, the tongue may begin to withdraw from the
receptacle. In that event, the spring action or tension of the legs urges
the first leg against the receptacle. The fins formed by the slots will
engage with or catch against the opposed shoulders. Accordingly, the
tongue may only be withdrawn a short distance out of the receptacle and
will not become disengaged therefrom.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a safety clasp of the present invention
wherein a tongue and a barrel of the clasp are separated from each other;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the safety clasp shown in FIG. 1 with the
tongue inserted fully within the barrel;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the safety clasp shown in FIG. 2 wherein the
tongue has been withdrawn slightly from the barrel so that the secondary
safety mechanism is employed; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the safety clasp
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view
of a safety clasp 10 for jewelry. A tongue or male member 12 is shown
separated and apart from a barrel or receptacle 14.
The receptacle in the present embodiment is in the shape or design of a
rectangular prism. Receptacle 14 is substantially open at one end 16. The
receptacle has an open interior so as to form a cavity 18. Extending from
the receptacle at the open end 16 is a pair of opposed shoulders 22 and
24. The opposed shoulders extend partially across the cavity 18.
An optional extending guide 26 acts to assist in the insertion of the
tongue into the receptacle.
Although the receptacle is in the shape of a rectangular prism in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it will be understood that the receptacle may
take other designs, such as cubes or other forms.
The tongue 12 includes a leaf spring having a first leg 28 and a second leg
30. The legs 28 and 30 are connected together at one joined end 32 and are
in angular relation with each other. The joined end 32 of the legs is
insertable into the cavity 18.
The tongue may be fabricated from a flat piece of forged metal such as gold
so that if leg 28 and leg 30 are squeezed together, a spring force or
tension will urge the legs back to their original position in angular
relation to each other.
The tongue 12 may include a hook 34 or other device to secure one end of a
jewelry chain (not shown). Likewise, the receptacle 14 may include a hook
or other device (not shown) to secure the opposite end of the chain (not
shown).
The first leg 28 terminates in a free end 36. Opposite the joined end 32.
The free end 36 includes a pair of lateral edges 38 and 40 near or at the
free end 36 of the leg 28.
When the tongue 12 is inserted by the user into the cavity 18 of the
receptacle 14, the joined end 32 will be inserted into the cavity
initially. The first leg 28 and second leg 30 will be held by the user
(not shown) and compressed toward each other so that the tongue will
easily fit within the cavity. When the legs are compressed or squeezed
together, they will be more nearly parallel than the position at rest
shown in FIG. 1.
Once the lateral edges 38 and 40 have been inserted past the opposed
shoulders 22 and 24 of the receptacle, the legs of the tongue will be
released. The spring action of the tongue will urge the free end 36 away
from the second leg 30 back toward their original position. The lateral
edges will then be within the cavity and on the interior side of the
opposed shoulders 22 and 24. Accordingly, the tongue may not be withdrawn
from the receptacle until the legs are compressed or squeezed together
again. The foregoing forms the primary clasp mechanism.
In the present invention, an additional or secondary safety mechanism is
also employed. The secondary safety mechanism only operates in the event
of failure or unfastening of the primary clasp mechanism. A pair of slots
or inwardly extending recesses 42 and 44 are provided on opposed sides of
the first leg. The slots 42 and 44 are spaced from the free end 36 a
slight distance. The slots in the leg thereby form a pair of transverse
fins 46 and 48.
The fins are substantially parallel with the lateral edges.
If the lateral edges 38 and 40 become disengaged from the shoulders 22 and
24 of the receptacle for any reason, the tongue 12 may begin to withdraw
from the receptacle. In that case, the spring action or tension of the
legs will urge the first leg 28 away from the second leg and against the
receptacle. If the tongue continues to withdraw, the fins 46 and 48 will
engage with or catch against the opposed shoulders 22 and 24. Accordingly,
the tongue 12 may only be withdrawn a short distance out of the receptacle
and will not become disengaged therefrom.
FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the safety clasp 10 shown in FIG. 1.
The tongue 12 has been inserted fully into the receptacle 14. In the
position shown, the legs are compressed together slightly. The first leg
28 is shown within the receptacle so that the lateral edge 40 abuts and is
engaged with the interior of opposed shoulder 24. Although not visible,
the lateral edge 38 also abuts and is engaged with the interior of opposed
shoulder 22. In the position shown in FIG. 2, the secondary clasp
mechanism is neither needed nor operational.
FIG. 3 illustrates the use of the secondary safety mechanism. If the
lateral edges 38 and 40 of the free end 36 become disengaged for any
reason from the opposed shoulders, the tongue may begin to withdraw from
the receptacle 14. In that case, the resilient, spring force or tension of
the legs will cause the first leg to separate from the second leg. The
transverse fins 46 and 48 will engage with the opposed shoulders as
clearly seen in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the tongue will be prevented from
disengaging from the receptacle.
As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transverse fins may be bent slightly
upward and away from the legs 28 and 30 in order to more easily and
effectively engage the opposed shoulders.
The safety clasp 10 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 also
includes a safety snap 50 on the tongue and the protruding pin 52 on the
receptacle. While the snap and pin are no longer necessary with the
present invention, it will be seen that the invention may be employed with
this type of known design. FIG. 2 shows the snap engaged with the pin
while FIGS. 1 and 3 show the unfastened position.
It will be observed that the secondary safety clasp mechanism requires no
additional parts and may be fabricated by simply modifying the primary
clasp mechanism.
In order to completely disengage the tongue from the receptacle from the
position shown in FIG. 3, the legs will be compressed or squeezed together
again and the tongue withdrawn.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a
safety clasp 60. A tongue or male member 62 is illustrated separated and
removed from a barrel or receptacle 64.
The receptacle 64 is substantially cylindrical and a cavity extends axially
into the receptacle 64.
The receptacle has an opening 66 at one end. Extending partially across the
opening 66 are a pair of opposed shoulders 68 and 70.
The tongue 62 includes a leaf spring having a first leg 72 and a second leg
74 which are connected together at a joined end 76. As seen in FIG. 4, the
legs are in angular relation with each other. The joined end 76 of the
legs is insertable into the opening 66 of the receptacle. When the leg 72
and 74 are squeezed or compressed together by a user, a spring force will
urge the legs back to their original position.
The tongue 62 includes a ring 78 or other device to secure to an end of the
chain (not shown). The receptacle will also include a ring or hook or
other device to secure the opposite end of the chain (not shown).
The first leg 72 terminates in a free end 80 opposite the joined end. The
free end includes a pair of lateral edges 82 and 84 at or substantially
near the free end of the first leg.
When the tongue 6 is to be inserted into the cavity of the receptacle 64,
the joined end 76 will be inserted. The first leg 72 and the second leg 74
will be held by the user (not shown) and compressed or squeezed together
so that the tongue will easily fit within the opening 66.
Once the lateral edges 82 and 84 have been inserted past the opposed
shoulders 68 and 70, respectively, the legs 72 and 74 of the tongue will
be released. The resilient, spring action or tension of the legs will urge
the free end 80 of the first leg away from the second leg. Accordingly,
the legs will tend to move back toward their original position. The
lateral edges 82 and 84 will be within the cavity on the interior side of
the opposed shoulders 68 and 70. The tongue, therefore, may not be
withdrawn from the receptacle until the legs are again compressed or
squeezed together.
The first leg also includes a perpendicular protrusion 86 which is
receivable within an opening 88 perpendicular to the opening 66.
An additional or secondary safety clasp mechanism is employed and operates
in the event of a failure or unfastening of the primary clasp mechanism as
described above. A pair of slots or inwardly extending recesses 90 and 92
are provided on opposed sides of the first legs 72. The slots 90 and 92
are spaced from the free end 80. The slots in the first leg thereby form a
pair of transverse fins 94 (only one visible in FIG. 4).
If the lateral edges 82 and 84 become disengaged from the shoulders 68 and
70 of the receptacle, the tongue may begin to withdraw from the
receptacle. In that case, the resilient, spring action or tension of the
legs will urge the first leg 72 against the interior of the receptacle.
The fins 94 will engage with or catch against the opposed shoulders 68 and
70. Accordinqly, the tongue 62 may only be withdrawn a short distance from
the receptacle and will not become disengaged therefrom.
The embodiment of the clasp 60 shown in FIG. 4 also shows the optional snap
96 and pin 98.
It has been found that the invention provides a secondary or back-up safety
mechanism in the event of unfastening or failure of the primary safety
clasp mechanism. The safety clasp of the present invention is simple to
construct and may be utilized with existing designs of jewelry chain
clasps.
Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the
drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further
modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made
within the spirit and scope of this invention.
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